# 24SHARE

> Latest stories on harm reduction 24/7


## Posts

- [PMFTC opens flagship IQOS boutique in Makati to boost smoke-free push](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/12/29/pmftc-opens-flagship-iqos-boutique-in-makati-to-boost-smoke-free-push/): PMFTC Inc. opens its flagship IQOS boutique at Glorietta 3 in Makati City, featuring a multi-sensory retail experience and personalization services to support its smoke-free vision in the Philippines. MAKATI CITY—PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International, opened its flagship IQOS boutique in Glorietta on Dec. 19, 2025 to offer adult nicotine users an immersive retail experience. The opening of the flagship boutique underscores IQOS’ expanding footprint in the Philippines and its commitment to offering adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke better smoke-free alternatives. It integrates scent, taste and art to showcase the company’s heat-not-burn technology […]
- [Vape bans ineffective in cutting smoking rates](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/12/18/vape-bans-ineffective-in-cutting-smoking-rates/): Harm reduction experts claimed that bans on vaping perpetuate cigarette dependence across numerous countries and are not effective in bringing down smoking rates. The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) report, funded by Global Action to End Smoking, shows that tobacco causes around 8 million deaths each year, with many occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where vaping remains restricted. According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, global tobacco consumption remained steady at 1.25 billion users in 2022, underscoring limited progress since the adoption of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005. In LMICs, which account […]
- [Scientific report confirms e-cigarettes effective in helping smokers quit](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/12/04/scientific-report-confirms-e-cigarettes-effective-in-helping-smokers-quit/): Dr. David Nutt of Imperial College London  Cochrane, an internationally respected network of health researchers, has published a comprehensive review presenting strong evidence that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can support adult smokers in quitting traditional cigarettes. The systematic review, “Electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation,” drew on a large body of evidence. It examined 104 studies covering 30,366 adult smokers, with most data originating from the United States (48 studies) and the United Kingdom (21 studies). The researchers assessed how nicotine e-cigarettes perform compared to other cessation methods, including nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), non-nicotine e-cigarettes, and behavioral support. Results showed that nicotine e-cigarettes […]
- [IQOS ILUMA i launched in the Philippines to advance smoke-free goal](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/22/iqos-iluma-i-launched-in-the-philippines-to-advance-smoke-free-goal/): PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), has launched the IQOS ILUMA i—its latest and most innovative smoke-free product—in the Philippines. The company said the launch is a significant step in its vision to accelerate a smoke-free future, offering adult smokers an advanced and intuitive alternative to cigarettes. It said the new device builds on the success of the IQOS ILUMA’s induction-heating technology, which heats tobacco from within instead of burning it. This provides a clean, consistent, smoke-free experience without fire or ash. PMI set an ambitious goal to generate two-thirds of its total net revenues from […]
- [Philippine delegation defends tobacco farmers at WHO FCTC conference](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/20/philippine-delegation-defends-tobacco-farmers-at-who-fctc-conference/): The Philippine delegation at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) earned praise from agricultural stakeholders and civil society groups this week after emphasizing the country’s sovereign authority to review proposed measures based on national priorities and capacities. The position is seen as a safeguard for rural livelihoods and the tobacco-growing sector, which remains a primary source of income for nearly 20 provinces, according to agricultural groups. Ambassador Carlos Sorreta, head of the Philippine delegation, stressed in his opening statement the need for “socially and economically responsible” and […]
- [Global health experts urge WHO to adopt tobacco harm reduction at COP11](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/19/global-health-experts-urge-who-to-adopt-tobacco-harm-reduction-at-cop11/): More than 40 independent global health experts—including specialists in medicine, pharmacology, psychology, and public health—have issued a joint statement demanding the World Health Organization (WHO) embrace harm reduction strategies in its global tobacco policy.  The unified appeal, published on The Counterfactual’s ‘Expert Wall’, calls on the WHO and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Secretariat to make harm reduction central to controlling tobacco use worldwide. The statement targets delegates at the WHO FCTC’s 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) being held in Geneva, Switzerland from November 17 to 22, 2025. The experts argue the WHO’s current abstinence-only stance ignores […]
- [Philippine stakeholders ask WHO FCTC delegation to uphold Vape Law](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/19/philippine-stakeholders-ask-who-fctc-delegation-to-uphold-vape-law/): Filipino stakeholders asked the country’s delegation to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to defend and present the Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vape Law, as a model for tobacco harm reduction.  They called for a balanced stand reflecting both public health and consumer welfare during the week-long conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Advocates argue that WHO policies often disregard scientific evidence and consumer experiences. They warn that overly restrictive policies could inadvertently push smokers back to traditional cigarettes instead of encouraging the use of safer alternatives like e-cigarettes […]
- [Philippine consumer groups ask WHO to include tobacco harm reduction in global control policy](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/17/philippine-consumer-groups-ask-who-to-include-tobacco-harm-reduction-in-global-control-policy/): Consumer advocacy groups in the Philippines are urging the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to integrate tobacco harm reduction (THR) into global control policies and consider the perspectives of the over 1 billion users it affects. The call comes as the WHO FCTC holds its 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) in Geneva from November 17-22, 2025, to discuss new global tobacco control measures. Groups including Vaper Ako, Consumer Choice Philippines (CCP) and the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP) said policymaking should be inclusive of smokers who are most affected by these control […]
- [Former WHO official, group urge rethink of smoking policy as FCTC 'resists science'](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/16/former-who-official-group-urge-rethink-of-smoking-policy-as-fctc-resists-science/): A co-architect of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global tobacco treaty, alongside a prominent taxpayers’ group, has criticized the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) for allegedly neglecting its public health mandate by resisting scientific advances and blocking technological innovations that could help end smoking. Dr. Derek Yach, a public health expert and former WHO director, and Martin Cullip, international fellow of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), claimed that the FCTC has shifted away from its original goal by dismissing the potential of lower-risk nicotine alternatives. These include vapes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches. During a TPA-organized webinar, Yach […]
- [Advocates ask WHO FCTC not to block access to safer nicotine options at COP 11](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/15/advocates-ask-who-fctc-not-to-block-access-to-safer-nicotine-options-at-cop-11/): Expanding consumer access to safer nicotine products (SNPs) is essential to unlocking the public health benefits of tobacco harm reduction (THR), according to a briefing paper from the Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR). The paper argues that the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has fallen short in curbing tobacco-related mortality and morbidity, and urges that tobacco harm reduction be meaningfully addressed at the Eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 17-22, 2025. “It has been evident for some time that the FCTC has been ineffective in […]
- [Ex-WHO directors push low-risk alternatives to cut smoking deaths by half ](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/14/global-smoking-deaths-to-be-cut-in-half-with-harm-reduction-low-risk-alternatives-ex-who-directors/): Former directors of the World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for a sweeping reform of global tobacco policy to adopt harm reduction strategies, saying a shift to low-risk alternatives like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products could save over 100 million lives by 2060. In a report, the experts advocate for a “reset” in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to integrate these new technologies. They estimate that transitioning just 20 percent of global smokers to low-risk nicotine products within the next 10 to 15 years would cut smoking-related deaths in half by 2060.  Their analysis of 23 countries suggests more than 14 […]
- [Filipino tobacco farmers fear WHO proposals threaten livelihoods ahead of conference](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/13/filipino-tobacco-farmers-fear-who-proposals-threaten-livelihoods-ahead-of-conference/): Filipino tobacco farmers are sounding the alarm over proposed measures by the World Health Organization (WHO) that they warn could obliterate their industry and devastate communities.  As the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) 11th Conference of the Parties (COP) approaches, the Philippine Tobacco Growers Association Inc. (PTGA) view the proposals in the Expert Group Report’s Agenda Item 4.1 as an existential threat to the sector. The proposed actions include ending government support for tobacco farming, curbing suppliers’ profits, halting commercial sales of tobacco products and setting manufacturing and import quotas with periodic reductions. “The extreme measures proposed in […]
- [Filipino advocates, farmers urge science-based approach to tobacco control ](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/13/filipino-advocates-farmers-urge-science-based-approach-to-tobacco-control/): Consumers and farmers in the Philippines asked the public and the World Health Organization (WHO) to oppose proposed tobacco control measures they view as overly restrictive, arguing these policies limit harm reduction options and threaten livelihoods. The appeal is being made in the lead-up to the 11th biennial tobacco control conference of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), scheduled for November 17–22, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland. Groups including the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA), Vaper AKO, Consumer Choice Philippines, the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), Quit for Good, and the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) have […]
- [Philippines’ Vape Law offers policy blueprint for harm reduction, says medical expert](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/11/philippines-vape-law-offers-policy-blueprint-for-harm-reduction-says-medical-expert/): The Vape Law in the Philippines has established a vital legal and ethical foundation for tobacco harm reduction, enabling healthcare professionals to guide patients, particularly those unable to quit combustible cigarettes, toward less harmful alternatives. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Andy Fernandez underscored this development at the 8th Summit on Tobacco Harm Reduction 2025, hosted by the International Association on Smoking Control and Harm Reduction (SCOHRE). Tobacco harm reduction refers to the use of significantly less harmful alternatives to traditional cigarettes, including vapes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches. Research indicates these options pose fewer health risks because they eliminate […]
- [Harm reduction can lower smoking-linked disease rate, cancer expert says](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/06/harm-reduction-can-lower-smoking-linked-disease-rate-cancer-expert-says/): Dr. David Khayat, a leading oncologist A leading French cancer specialist and former adviser to the World Health Organization (WHO) has underscored the importance of harm reduction as a vital approach to lowering the incidence of smoking-related illnesses. Dr. David Khayat, a professor at Pierre et Marie Curie University and former adviser to French President Jacques Chirac, said that WHO-led tobacco control measures have not achieved their intended impact. He advocated for alternative solutions tailored to smokers who are not ready or willing to quit. “We must acknowledge that after 30 years of taxation, public warnings and regulatory bans, smoking […]
- [Launch of new ZYN variant underscores PMFTC’s commitment to smoke-free future](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/11/04/launch-of-new-zyn-variant-underscores-pmftcs-commitment-to-smoke-free-future/): PMFTC, the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), has launched a new, limited-edition variant and updated packaging for its ZYN nicotine pouch brand in the Philippines.  PMI announced in 2016 its bold mission of transforming into a smoke-free company. The new product is ZYN Bright Green 1.5mg, which is described as having a distinctly zesty taste. The new can design features a “modern, bold and original aesthetic.” “Nicotine pouches are a core element in our portfolio of science-backed smoke-free products, helping make cigarettes a thing of the past. We believe that no single smoke-free product can satisfy the preferences […]
- [Study finds that nicotine pouches may help smokers quit more harmful products](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/10/30/study-finds-that-nicotine-pouches-may-help-smokers-quit-more-harmful-products/): An international research team from the Rutgers Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies has published new evidence suggesting that nicotine pouches could provide a pathway for adult tobacco users to reduce harm. The study, appearing in JAMA Network Open, represents the first national estimate of daily nicotine pouch use among US adults. Although the products are not marketed as smoking-cessation aids, the analysis found that many users had recently quit smoking or vaping, implying a potential role in harm-reduction efforts. “For people who smoke or use other nicotine products and don’t want to stop using nicotine, switching completely from the […]
- [Bloomberg, anonymous donors spark concern over WHO’s policy independence](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/10/21/bloomberg-anonymous-donors-spark-concern-over-whos-policy-independence/): A new report has raised alarm over the growing influence of Bloomberg Philanthropies and undisclosed donors on the World Health Organization (WHO), warning that global health policy risks being shaped by private interests rather than national priorities. The report, “The Next Chapter Unfolds: Bloomberg and WHO’s Expanding Shadow Over Global Health Sovereignty,” alleges that donor-driven agendas, especially in tobacco control, are increasingly embedded into domestic laws, often clashing with harm reduction and local realities. The report comes as governments prepare for the 11th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP11) of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) […]
- [Philippine groups urge government to adopt tobacco harm reduction as public health pillar](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/10/17/philippine-groups-urge-government-to-adopt-tobacco-harm-reduction-as-public-health-pillar/): Medical experts and consumer advocates come together to call for strengthened harm reduction initiatives in the country at the Harm Reduction & Nicotine Summit at EDSA Shangri-la Manila last October 15, 2025. Health experts and consumer advocates in the Philippines called on the government to adopt tobacco harm reduction (THR) as a foundation of public health policy, warning that ignoring modern science restricts smokers from accessing safer alternatives. The appeal was made at the Harm Reduction and Nicotine Summit on October 15, 2025, where speakers stressed that this approach—which promotes non-combustible alternatives like e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products—should […]
- [Industry expert: Illicit trade accounts for up to 80% of Philippine vape market](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/09/22/industry-expert-illicit-trade-accounts-for-up-to-80-of-philippine-vape-market/): Illicit trade could account for up to 80 percent of vape and e-cigarette sales in the Philippines, undermining legitimate businesses and putting consumers at serious health risk, according to an industry expert. “There’s a massive discrepancy between exports of e-cigarettes from China and import data in the Philippines. Based on some of the numbers we’ve seen, illicit consumption of smoke-free products in the country could be as high as 80 percent,” said Rodney Van Dooren, a regional illicit trade expert at Philip Morris International (PMI). Speaking in a recent forum on combating illicit trade organized by the Financial Times in […]
- [Global experts push WHO to integrate harm reduction into tobacco control](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/09/11/global-experts-push-who-to-integrate-harm-reduction-into-tobacco-control/): Experts have urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to incorporate harm reduction into its tobacco policy ahead of an upcoming summit in November, citing it as a proven method to reduce deaths caused by smoking. During a briefing in Makati City hosted by the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), global and Filipino experts called on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to “fully integrate harm reduction into tobacco control.” “The evidence is clear: combustion kills, not nicotine. Safer alternatives exist and are effective. This is the time to stand with science and evidence,” a joint statement declared. CCC president […]
- [Southeast Asian businesses urged to step up fight against illicit trade ](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/09/01/southeast-asian-businesses-urged-to-step-up-fight-against-illicit-trade/): From left to right: Jacopo Dettoni, Daniele Marchesi, Jericho Nograles, Vincent Juan, and Chen Yun Jin Illicit trade thrives in Southeast Asia despite government efforts, underscoring the need for the private sector to take a more active role in the fight, legal experts and industry leaders said at a recent forum. Businesses are often caught in the middle, as both victims of smuggling and counterfeiting and, at times, unwitting facilitators, according to panelists at the event organized by The Financial Times in Taguig City. They emphasized that private sector engagement is critical in preventing, detecting, and disrupting these illegal activities. […]
- [WHO's anti-smoking strategy questioned as high rates persist](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/08/22/whos-anti-smoking-strategy-questioned-as-high-rates-persist/): Global smoking rates remain high despite two decades of effort by the World Health Organization (WHO), leading public health and consumer advocates to call for a new approach to tobacco control. Experts said the current WHO policy has been ineffective in significantly reducing tobacco-related deaths. Speaking at the 2025 Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN) in Poland, panelists said the WHO’s prohibition-driven stance is out of step with evidence-based harm reduction practices that could help over a billion smokers quit or switch to less harmful products like heated tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. A session titled “Reflections on the Framework Convention […]
- [Illicit trade threatens maritime security in Southeast Asia—experts](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/08/13/illicit-trade-threatens-maritime-security-in-southeast-asia-experts/): Kathyrin Fe D. Pioquinto and Rohan Pike Experts raised alarms about the maritime security risks that illicit trade poses in Southeast Asia.  They issued the warning at “Combatting Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia”, a high-level briefing organized by the Financial Times at the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, in Taguig City, on Aug. 5, 2025. Countries should work together to prevent illicit trade, which leads to other crimes, said said Daniele Marchesi, country manager of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Programme Office in the Philippines. “Illicit trade is not merely about counterfeit goods and lost revenue; it […]
- [Regional cooperation key to curb ‘persistent, evolving threat’ of illicit trade in SE Asia](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/08/08/regional-cooperation-key-to-curb-persistent-evolving-threat-of-illicit-trade-in-se-asia/): Romeo Lumagui Jr., Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Government officials in the Philippines are pushing for coordinated efforts across Southeast Asia, involving both regional allies and diverse sectors, to combat illegal trade. Porous borders, uneven enforcement capacity, and fragmented regulatory frameworks make Southeast Asia vulnerable to criminal operations, according to experts who attended “Combatting Illicit Trade in Southeast Asia”, a high-level briefing conducted by the Financial Times at the Shangri-La The Fort, Manila, in Taguig City on August 5, 2025. “Illicit trade threatens not only economies but also the safety and well-being of people. It fuels corruption, […]
- [Japan’s sharp smoking decline tied to rise in heated tobacco use](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/08/01/japans-sharp-smoking-decline-tied-to-rise-in-heated-tobacco-use/): Studies show that heated tobacco products (HTPs) are key contributors to the sharp decrease in Japan’s smoking rate. According to a study published in October 2024 in the international peer-reviewed journal Tobacco Control, “Transformation of the Tobacco Product Market in Japan, 2011–2023,” per capita and total cigarette sales in Japan decreased by more than 50 percent between 2011 and 2023. This trend remained relatively flat until 2015, when HTPs were introduced to the Japanese market, after which the rate of decline accelerated markedly. “Halving the cigarette market in Japan in just over a decade is a remarkable achievement and figuring out how […]
- [WHO ‘sin taxes’ to hurt the poor, says consumer group ](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/07/25/who-sin-taxes-to-hurt-the-poor-says-consumer-group/): Martin Cullip, international fellow of The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) Consumer Center A global consumer advocacy group is speaking out against a World Health Organization (WHO) proposal to implement “sin taxes” on sugary drinks, alcohol and tobacco. The group said these taxes would disproportionately burden the working class in developing nations. The WHO, through its “3 by 35 Initiative,” is reportedly pushing member countries to significantly raise prices on these products—by at least 50 percent through tax hikes—by 2035. The stated goals are to curb consumption and generate revenue, especially as development aid declines and public debt rises. However, critics […]
- [PMI and Sampoerna's Technovation 2025 spotlights smoke-free future backed by innovation and collaboration](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/07/20/pmi-and-sampoernas-technovation-2025-spotlights-smoke-free-future-backed-by-innovation-and-collaboration/):  Tomoko Iida, PMI’s Director of Scientific Engagement Innovation rooted in science and strengthened by cross-sector partnerships is accelerating the shift toward a smoke-free future. This was the key message from Technovation 2025: Smoke-Free by Sampoerna, a forum held in Jakarta that spotlighted how technology, policy, and business collaboration are helping transform the tobacco industry. The event brought together public and private sector stakeholders to share how technology and partnerships are shaping a smoke-free future in Indonesia and beyond. Philip Morris International (PMI) senior vice president Christos Harpantidis said innovation is not merely about creating new technologies, but a call to […]
- [WHO-Bloomberg ‘war on harm reduction’ disregards consumers](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/07/12/who-bloomberg-war-on-harm-reduction-disregards-consumers/): The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has expressed concern that the World Health Organization (WHO) is disregarding consumer perspectives and enabling figures such as American billionaire Michael Bloomberg to promote policies that limit access to lower-risk nicotine products. The WVA launched its “Voices Unheard – Consumers Matter!” campaign ahead of the World Conference on Tobacco Control (WCTC) in Dublin to highlight that consumers are being excluded from global tobacco and nicotine policy discussions. Vaper Ako, the Philippine counterpart of WVA, and Consumer Choice Philippines denounced the WHO and the Bloomberg Foundation for collaborating to limit consumer choices regarding nicotine products. “The […]
- [Public health advocates decry WHO's ‘prohibitionist’ nicotine stance](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/06/13/public-health-advocates-decry-whos-prohibitionist-nicotine-stance/): Public health advocates denounced the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “prohibitionist approach” to innovative nicotine products, saying it is unnecessarily costing the lives of smokers who could benefit from less harmful alternatives, according to public health advocates. “The WHO dismisses adult smokers and vapers, even though adults bear the vast majority of tobacco-related harm,” said Martin Cullip, a fellow at the Taxpayer’s Protection Alliance (TPA) and a prominent harm reduction advocate.  Speaking during an international webinar titled “How the WHO undermines World No Tobacco Day,” Cullip added, “It’s odd to see the organization celebrate bans on products that aren’t even made […]
- [Membership fee hike part of WHO strategy for discretionary budget spending, says consumer group](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/06/02/membership-fee-hike-part-of-who-strategy-for-discretionary-budget-spending-says-consumer-group/): The second consecutive 20% increase in the mandatory annual membership fee of member states is part of a deliberate World Health Organization (WHO) strategy to institutionalize discretionary spending of the global agency’s billion-dollar budget, a consumer group warned. “This shift toward ‘core funding’ is part of a deliberate WHO strategy: to move away from specific, donor-driven initiatives and toward general budget increases it can spend at will—on salaries, travel, and yes, real estate,” said the Consumer Choice Center (CCC).  “These funds are being funneled into a top-heavy administrative structure with minimal transparency and questionable accountability, instead of being allocated for […]
- [Filipino tobacco farmers seek bill’s protection from illicit cigarettes, vapes](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/05/29/filipino-tobacco-farmers-seek-bills-protection-from-illicit-cigarettes-vapes/): Tobacco farmers in the Philippines are seeking protection from the growing illicit trade of cigarettes and vapes, underscoring the need for a new law that will reduce the price gap between legitimate and illegal products. “The advantage of smuggled cigarettes compared to our local brands needs to be reduced,” the Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA) said in a statement. The group expressed support for House Bill 11360, which aims to impose structured tax increases on tobacco products and prevent the growing illicit trade of cigarettes and vapes in the country. Illicit trade threatens the livelihood of about 40,000 farmers relying […]
- [Filipino senator denounces rampant illicit vape, cigarette trade ](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/05/21/filipino-senator-denounces-rampant-illicit-vape-cigarette-trade/): Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has denounced the rampant illicit tobacco trade in the Philippines and demanded immediate action from law enforcement agencies. Gatchalian, speaking during a Senate hearing on tobacco excise taxes, called for intensified enforcement, aggressive prosecution and the creation of a full-time task force to tackle the crisis. “This illicit trade is crippling our revenue and jeopardizing public health,” Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate ways and means committee, said during a hearing on tobacco excise taxes. He highlighted the urgency of the problem, stating that 70 to 80 percent of vape products in the Philippines are illegal. “Illicit trade […]
- [Illicit cigarette sales hit record 18.2% in 2024 amid steady tax hikes](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/05/16/illicit-cigarette-sales-hit-record-18-2-in-2024-amid-steady-tax-hikes/): Illicit cigarette consumption reached a record high of 18.2 percent in the Philippines in 2024, following consistent increases in tobacco excise taxes that have prompted adult consumers to switch from legal products. Data from the Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) revealed a sharp surge in the illicit cigarette trade, escalating from 5.4 percent of the total market in 2020 to 18.2 percent last year – a 240 percent increase over four years. The PTI attributed this dramatic rise to the significant price disparity, with illegal cigarettes selling for as low as P40 per pack compared to about P140 for legal, tax-paid […]
- [Former senate president worried over growing cigarette smuggling problem](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/05/14/former-senate-president-worried-over-growing-cigarette-smuggling-problem/): Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, author of the Sin Tax Reform Law (RA 10351), expressed alarm over the rising incidence of cigarette smuggling in the Philippines. “I see it everyday in television news and newspaper reports about the arrests being made by our law enforcement agencies against people who are engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling of non-tax paid cigarettes. For me, this is very alarming.” Drilon said. In 2012, Drilon was credited for having passed a landmark legislation (Republic Act 10351) that restructured the excise taxation of alcohol and cigarettes in the Philippines resulting in a more […]
- [Experts call for WHO overhaul to address health issues](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/05/10/experts-call-for-who-overhaul-to-address-health-issues/): The World Health Organization (WHO) should change its dogmatic approach that hinders its effectiveness in addressing global health issues. In a panel organized by the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), Roger Bate, a global health policy expert at the International Center for Law and Economics, called for a reduction in WHO leadership, a shift of control from Geneva to field offices and a comprehensive overhaul. “The WHO needs fundamental reform,” said Bate, noting that the WHO has “failed repeatedly” in areas ranging from COVID-19 response to tobacco policy. Martin Cullip, an international fellow at TPA’s Consumer Center, described the FCTC as […]
- [Group cites real-world evidence showing tobacco harm reduction works](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/05/06/group-cites-real-world-evidence-showing-tobacco-harm-reduction-works/): The World Vapers Alliance (WVA) has cited real-world evidence showing that tobacco harm reduction works and helped smokers quit in several countries. The WVA asked the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to look at Sweden, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.  It said these countries adopted evidence-based, risk-proportionate approaches to tobacco harm reduction, resulting in significant reductions in adult smoking rates. In the report “Rethinking Tobacco Control: 20 Harm-Reduction Lessons the FCTC Should Take Note Of,” the WVA said the WHO FCTC, which marks its 20th anniversary in 2025, should consider harm reduction tools such as […]
- [20 years of WHO's tobacco control draws criticism, not celebration](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/04/29/20-years-of-whos-tobacco-control-draws-criticism-not-celebration/): As the World Health Organization (WHO) marks the 20th anniversary of its Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a moment that might have been for celebration has instead become a focal point for sharp criticism from global health experts, consumer advocates and harm reduction proponents.  Rather than highlighting progress, a panel hosted by the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) used the occasion to reflect on what they called decades of stagnation, missed opportunities, and dangerous resistance to innovation in tobacco harm reduction. “The FCTC should have marked a turning point in global tobacco control,” said Clive Bates, former director of Action […]
- [WHO’s hiring practices questioned amid budget constraints](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/04/11/whos-hiring-practices-questioned-amid-budget-constraints/): The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing criticism for expanding its senior leadership in Geneva. Critics warned that the increase in directors strains the organization’s limited financial resources, potentially diverting funds from crucial public health programs amid existing budgetary challenges. “It is time for the WHO to refocus on its mandate of improving public health, instead of spending its resources on highly paid officials who support their dogmatism, such as alienating the hundreds of millions of smokers who deserve less harmful alternatives. With the U.S. withdrawing its support from the WHO, hiring more executives is unjustifiable,” said Anton Israel, president […]
- [Consumer groups offer to present real-world evidence on FCTC tobacco control](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/04/02/consumer-groups-offer-to-present-real-world-evidence-on-fctc-tobacco-control/): Consumer groups, including the World Vapers Alliance (WVA), called for the inclusion of harm reduction strategies in global tobacco control policies, citing real-world evidence. In a report marking the 20th anniversary of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC), the WVA said involving civil society and consumers would lead to more effective, evidence-based strategies to reduce smoking-related harms and improve public health outcomes. “Their involvement can lead to more effective, evidence-based strategies to reduce smoking-related harms and improve public health outcomes,” the WVA said in its report, “Rethinking Tobacco Control: 20 Harm-Reduction Lessons the FCTC Should Take […]
- [Smoking alternatives may improve public health, oncologist says](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/03/28/smoking-alternatives-may-improve-public-health-oncologist-says/): Modern smoking alternatives may improve public health by reducing smokers’ exposure to carcinogens, French oncologist David Khayat said. Khayat cited studies indicating that the quantity and concentration of harmful substances from smoking are linked to high combustion temperatures. “If all smokers who do not quit smoking realize that there are better alternative options than cigarettes, and more people make the change, then we will gradually see the effects on public health,” he said. Khayat described alternative smoke-free methods as part of harm reduction strategies in tobacco control. As global discussions on tobacco control intensify, tobacco harm reduction is expected to […]
- [Harm reduction groups question WHO tobacco summit amid funding concerns](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/03/20/harm-reduction-groups-question-who-tobacco-summit-amid-funding-concerns/): Harm reduction advocates are questioning the World Health Organization’s decision to hold a costly tobacco control summit in 2025, suggesting the event could divert resources from more pressing global health concerns. The criticism follows the United States’ withdrawal from the WHO, which prompted other countries including Italy, Argentina and Hungary to reconsider their affiliations. The U.S. decision stemmed from concerns about the WHO’s impartiality and political influence. The WHO has become increasingly reliant on private funding such as Bloomberg Philanthropies, and this drew criticism from countries like the Philippines for alleged interference in local policies. Groups like the Coalition of […]
- [Consumer group hails new study to help smokers quit](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/03/14/consumer-group-hails-new-study-to-help-smokers-quit/): An international study citing the importance of accurate information on less harmful alternatives to cigarettes has gained the support of a Philippine consumer group. The Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP) underscored the need for policies that empower smokers with accurate information and access to less harmful choices. NCUP president Anton Israel made the statement in response to the results of a British study showing that people who smoke are more likely to quit and switch to vaping when they understand that smoke-free products are significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Widespread misinformation is currently preventing smokers from switching […]
- [CAPHRA deeply concerned over corruption allegations vs. WHO](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/03/06/caphra-deeply-concerned-over-corruption-allegations-vs-who/): A regional tobacco harm reduction advocacy group expressed concern over corruption allegations against the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the United States’ past withdrawal of support. The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) said it had “deep concerns” about recent events involving the global health body. The group questioned the effectiveness of the WHO’s global public health policies, pointing to accusations of corruption and mismanagement in the Asia-Pacific region. “It’s time to hold the WHO to its mandate and core mission of protecting global health based on science, not ideology; that is inclusive of all stakeholders, without […]
- [US withdrawal, Bloomberg influence drive global reevaluation of WHO](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/02/20/us-withdrawal-bloomberg-influence-drive-global-reevaluation-of-who/): The United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) has spurred several countries to re-evaluate the agency’s policies and the influence of major funders, including Bloomberg Philanthropies. The U.S. exit, formalized by a presidential executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, stemmed from concerns about the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, perceived political influence by certain member states, and the financial burden on the U.S., historically its largest donor. Bloomberg Philanthropies has provided substantial support to the WHO and advocated for restrictive policies on less harmful alternatives to cigarettes. Several countries expressed concern about Bloomberg’s influence on the WHO […]
- [Nicotine not carcinogenic, says Israeli cardiologist](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/02/18/nicotine-not-carcinogenic-says-israeli-cardiologist/): A top Israeli cardiologist said nicotine is not carcinogenic and does not cause hearth diseases “Nicotine is addictive, but it doesn’t harm the body. It’s not carcinogenic, and it doesn’t cause heart disease or blood vessel disease. If there is an alternative way to satisfy the nicotine craving of smokers without burning tobacco, this is clearly an option worth considering,” said Prof. Reuven Zimlichman, director of The Brunner Cardiovascular Research Institute at Tel Aviv University, said. Zimlichman made the statement during the 46th Philippine Neurological Association (PNA) annual convention held from Nov. 26 to 29, 2024 at the Conrad Manila […]
- [Harm reduction advocates in the Philippines celebrate US FDA marketing authorizations for Zyn nicotine pouches](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/02/14/harm-reduction-advocates-in-the-philippines-celebrate-us-fda-marketing-authorizations-for-zyn-nicotine-pouches/): Harm reduction advocates in the Philippines celebrated the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) marketing authorizations for 20 ZYN nicotine pouch products, hailing it as a significant step for a smoke-free campaign globally. The decision marks the first time the FDA has authorized nicotine pouches, igniting hope for wider acceptance of smoke-free alternatives. “The U.S. FDA authorizing ZYN nicotine pouches is an encouraging development. It reinforces the global recognition of smoke-free alternatives as viable harm reduction tools that can provide Filipino smokers with better options to reduce health risks,” said Adolph Ilas, chairman of Consumer Choice Philippines. It followed a […]
- [Philippines’ House of Representatives approves bill on second reading to hike tobacco excise tax collection by P66 billion in 5 years](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/01/29/philippines-house-of-representatives-approves-bill-on-second-reading-to-hike-tobacco-excise-tax-collection-by-p66-billion-in-5-years/): The Philippines House of Representatives approved on second reading a proposed bill that aims to rationalize excise tax rates on tobacco and vapor products and raise an additional P66 billion in five years. Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing of Nueva Ecija said that once enacted into law, House Bill 11360 could lead to an “aggregate revenue recovery of P66 billion across five years.” Suansing said in her sponsorship of HB 11360 that while the 2013 Sin Tax Law initially succeeded in reducing smoking rates and generating additional revenue until 2021, excise tax revenue collections have since declined annually. She cited data […]
- [Anti-illicit trade bill gets widespread support in Philippine Congress](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/01/25/anti-illicit-trade-bill-gets-widespread-support-in-philippine-congress/): A proposed bill, which seeks to address the “undeniable harm” the illicit cigarette trade brings to the Philippine economy and public health, wins more support from legislators who are now calling for the swift deliberations of the measure in the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee. “We need to expedite the passage of HB 11279 to curb illicit trade and recover government revenues,” said House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chair Robert Ace Barbers. “The proceeds of illicit trade have been shown to fund terrorism and organized crime. Smuggled cigarettes equate to big money and it’s an attractive fundraiser for […]
- [‘False narratives” undermine anti-illicit trade bill, say Filipino legislators](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/01/24/false-narratives-undermine-anti-illicit-trade-bill-say-filipino-legislators/): Filipino legislators pushed back against “false narratives” on a proposed measure aimed at curbing illicit trade and shoring up government revenue collection. “We are looking forward to the upcoming discussions on House Bill 11279 in the House Ways and Means Committee. However, it is concerning that certain groups are spreading misleading information to undermine the intent of the bill, which is to stop the spread of illicit trade and boost revenue collections,” said Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, one of the bill’s principal authors. Singson-Meehan raised concerns that the spread of misinformation was diverting attention […]
- [Philippines’ smoking rate climbs as illicit trade continues](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/01/22/philippines-smoking-rate-climbs-as-illicit-trade-continues/): Smoking rate climbed in the Philippines between 2021 and 2023 amid the rampant illicit trade of cigarettes, according to industry data. Senator Win Gatchalian said in a Senate Committee on Ways and Means hearing that despite the increase in smoking rate, the government’s excise tax revenue collection fell during the period as illicit trade thrived.  “This is a cause of concern that has triggered this hearing. We saw a reversal [in smoking prevalence] after 2021. For six years, we reduced smoking prevalence. But in two years, we’re back to square one,” Gatchalian said.  Gatchalian said tobacco excise tax revenue slid […]
- [Philippine trade group backs tobacco tax hike moratorium](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/01/21/philippine-trade-group-backs-tobacco-tax-hike-moratorium/): The Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) supports proposals in the House of Representatives to address rising illicit trade and declining tobacco tax collections, highlighting successful experiences from neighboring countries that suspended annual tobacco excise tax hikes. “By pausing the annual excise tax increases, the prices of legitimate products such as cigarettes can stabilize and decrease the incentive for consumers to purchase illicit smuggled products,” PTI president Jericho “Koko” B. Nograles said during the Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing on January 9, which focused on the illicit tobacco trade. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian underscored the urgency of […]
- [Filipino lawmakers file bill to curb illicit tobacco trade, suspend tax hikes](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/01/15/filipino-lawmakers-file-bill-to-curb-illicit-tobacco-trade-suspend-tax-hikes/): A group of congressmen in the Philippines filed a bill to temporarily suspend annual excise tax increases on tobacco products in light of the rising prevalence of illicit cigarette trade and declining revenue collections. The multipartisan group, which includes two House Deputy Speakers, argued that the Sin Tax Law’s dual objectives of generating revenue and protecting public health are being compromised by the surge in illegal tobacco trade. House Bill (HB) 11279 proposes a one-year suspension of the automatic 5-percent annual excise tax hike on cigarettes, heated tobacco products, vapor products, and cigars. “Due to the prevalence of illicit tobacco […]
- [Vietnam’s vaping ban seen disrupting tobacco harm reduction in Southeast Asia](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2025/01/10/vietnams-vaping-ban-seen-disrupting-tobacco-harm-reduction-in-southeast-asia/): Tobacco harm reduction experts said Vietnam’s move to go against global trend towards regulating vapes and heated tobacco products would deprive smokers of better alternatives and encourage them to continue smoking. Asa Saligupta, director of ENDS Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST), said Vietnam’s planned e-cigarette ban is a “dangerous step” that could derail tobacco harm reduction efforts in Southeast Asia. “A ban on e-cigarettes will only push vapers to the black market, which is beyond the control of authorities in terms of regulation and product standards,” Saligupta said. “Worse, this would encourage vapers to return to smoking, which is the most […]
- [Philippines advised to realign tobacco tax closer to revenue maximizing rate](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/12/06/philippines-advised-to-realign-tobacco-tax-closer-to-revenue-maximizing-rate/): An American economist said the Philippines should align its tobacco tax closer to the revenue-maximizing rate, as further increases could exacerbate revenue losses. “Of course, the government should take steps to realign tobacco tax rates closer to the revenue-maximizing rate. Doubling down with further revenue-losing tax rate increases is never a sensible solution to a tax revenue loss,” said Dr. Arthur Laffer, founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm. He said the continuous increase in tobacco tax rates has surpassed the revenue-maximizing point. Laffer, known for the Laffer Curve theory, said the Philippines’ experience shows […]
- [Online stores circumvent laws to sell unregistered vapes in the Philippines](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/11/28/online-stores-circumvent-laws-to-sell-unregistered-vapes-in-the-philippines/): Some online sellers in the Philippines are circumventing age verification measures on social media platforms and e-commerce sites to distribute unregistered vape products, according to Senator Raffy Tulfo. In a resolution filed on Nov. 13, 2024, Tulfo highlighted the issue, particularly on TikTok, where many sellers lack age verification features. Some sellers instruct buyers to “order via private message,” bypassing verification requirements altogether. “This renders the directive of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) useless and futile,” Tulfo said, referring to DTI Administrative Order No. 24-03, issued on July 16, 2024. The order suspends the online sale, distribution, and […]
- [Millions of Japanese lives could be saved--experts ](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/11/08/millions-of-japanese-lives-could-be-saved-experts/): Leading public health experts said Japan could save millions of lives if it embraces innovative and proven tobacco harm reduction measures. The platform Quit Like Sweden, together with Institute for New Era Strategy (INES) Japan, brought together national and international public health experts at an event in Tokyo. The event was the latest held by Quit Like Sweden, a not-for-profit platform dedicated to encouraging countries to replicate the Swedish Experience, following events in Brazil, Poland and Malaysia earlier this year. In Tokyo, the event featured a series of discussions with harm reduction and public health experts, including Dr. Fredrik Nystrom, […]
- [Oral nicotine pouch set to make Sweden first smoke-free country](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/10/20/oral-nicotine-pouch-set-to-make-sweden-first-smoke-free-country/): STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Oral nicotine pouches could make Sweden the first country in the world to achieve “smoke-free” status. Patrik Hildingsson, vice president for communications and public affairs at Swedish Match, the makers of oral nicotine pouches, told a group of visiting Filipino journalists that Sweden would likely reach smoke-free status “within a very near future, most optimistically, maybe next year.” Oral nicotine pouches have played a significant role in reducing cigarette smoking in Sweden, and Swedish Match said it continues to innovate its products to help the country achieve smoke-free status sooner. A smoke-free society is defined as having […]
- [PMI announces significant progress in smoke-free transition](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/10/16/pmi-announces-significant-progress-in-smoke-free-transition/): NEUCHATEL, SWITZERLAND – Philip Morris International (PMI), the parent company of PMFTC Inc., reported a significant progress in its bid to replace cigarettes with smoke-free alternatives.  It said net revenue from IQOS surpassed that of Marlboro, making IQOS the company’s top brand just a decade after the heated tobacco product’s launch in 2014. “For the first time in history, smoke-free products have surpassed cigarette combustibles,” PMI chief executive officer Jacek Olczak said at the Technovation event on Oct. 9, 2024 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. PMI made a bold commitment in 2014 to go smoke-free by replacing cigarettes with better alternatives. In […]
- [Philippines tax agency wants to end misdeclaration of vape products](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/10/03/philippines-tax-agency-wants-to-end-misdeclaration-of-vape-products/): The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the main tax agency of the Philippine government, wants to end the misdeclaration of vape products amid the two-tier excise tax on e-cigarettes and is studying imposing the higher rate by default unless manufacturers can prove otherwise. “We’re examining ways to address loopholes in the system and are coordinating with lawmakers to develop more effective regulations,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said at a news forum in Manila. “Given the industry’s novelty and the varying formulas used by its players, we’re working to establish new regulations and refine existing ones.” Bienvenido Oplas, president of […]
- [Replacing cigarettes with heated tobacco good for arteries—study](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/09/26/replacing-cigarettes-with-heated-tobacco-good-for-arteries-study/): Replacing combustible cigarettes in favor of heated tobacco products (HTPs) may help prevent plaque buildup in arteries, according to a recent study. The study, presented during the 7th Summit on Tobacco Harm Reduction: Novel Products, Research & Policy, found that transitioning from traditional cigarettes to HTPs or electronic cigarettes may have less harmful effects on blood vessels. Heated tobacco products, which heat tobacco without burning it, do not produce smoke or ash, which contain thousands of harmful chemicals. A well-known HTP brand in the Philippines is IQOS, which has been available in the country since 2020. Dr. Kallirrhoe Kourea, a […]
- [Heated tobacco presents much lower risk than cigarettes—study](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/09/19/heated-tobacco-presents-much-lower-risk-than-cigarettes-study/): A comprehensive review of more than 200 scientific studies found that transitioning from smoking to using heated tobacco dramatically reduces the health risks of individuals indoors. This is because the switch to smoke-free heated tobacco products (HTPs) cuts the exposure of smokers and those around them to harmful chemicals inside homes and other indoor settings. “Considering both the aerosol content and the indoor air quality are much reduced when using HTP as compared to cigarettes, there appears to be a case to state that there is a lower risk of harm,” the study said, when comparing HTP use and cigarette […]
- [Doctors, health experts seek to end demonization of nicotine](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/09/10/doctors-health-experts-seek-to-end-demonization-of-nicotine/): Dr. Alex Wodak, Australian general practitioner Scientists and tobacco harm reduction experts are urging health authorities to reconsider their stance on nicotine, calling for a more nuanced understanding of the substance’s effects and its potential therapeutic uses. Tobacco harm reduction (THR) advocates are calling for more research into nicotine’s therapeutic potential, emphasizing that nicotine itself is not the primary cause of smoking-related diseases. “Nicotine is a highly complex substance with a wide range of effects on the brain,” said Dr. Paul Newhouse of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “The effects, whether long-term or short-term, are highly state- and condition-dependent. We need […]
- [Korean study sheds light on why smokers switch to smoke-free heated tobacco](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/09/03/korean-study-sheds-light-on-why-smokers-switch-to-smoke-free-heated-tobacco/): A study in South Korea provides insights into why many smokers are turning to heated tobacco products (HTPs), a smoke-free alternative to traditional cigarettes. The research could influence future tobacco regulation. HTPs are designed to heat tobacco instead of burning it, reducing the levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes. The US Food and Drug Administration said it is the mix of chemicals in tobacco smoke, rather than nicotine, that leads to serious health issues. Unlike traditional cigarettes, which burn tobacco, HTPs heat the tobacco below the combustion point, producing a nicotine-containing vapor rather than smoke. The technology offers an […]
- [Philippines enforces Vape Law, product standards to protect Filipino consumers](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/08/28/philippines-enforces-vape-law-product-standards-to-protect-filipino-consumers/): The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intensifies its enforcement of product standards and trade laws to prevent economic losses and protect Filipino consumers. In a report submitted to the DTI Secretary, the Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) said it confiscated more than P150 million worth of substandard products, including illegal vapes, to protect consumers and legitimate businesses. “Not only is there increased consumer protection and awareness, but economic losses from health- and safety-related hazards have also been prevented with the removal of uncertified and dangerous consumer products from the market,” the FTEB said in the report. The FTEB […]
- [Anti-vaping groups accused of waging ‘culture war’ to discredit tobacco harm reduction](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/08/21/anti-vaping-groups-accused-of-waging-culture-war-to-discredit-tobacco-harm-reduction/): Public health experts accused anti-vaping groups of resorting to tactics more akin to a cultural war than sound science, discouraging smokers from switching to potentially less harmful alternatives. Dr. Marewa Glover, a leading public health researcher from New Zealand, said during the recent Global Forum on Nicotine that these groups are waging a “culture war” on tobacco harm reduction (THR) efforts. THR, as a public health strategy, promotes the use of cigarette alternatives that do not burn and do not produce smoke, such as vapes, heated tobacco, and oral nicotine pouches. While these products contain nicotine, studies show that the […]
- [Philippines continues seizure of substandard vapes, checks nearly 100,000 stores](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/08/17/philippines-continues-seizure-of-substandard-vapes-checks-nearly-100000-stores/): DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali The Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has agreed to maintain strict monitoring of the vape industry and confiscate illegal products that do not meet government standards, which pose a threat to consumers, including minors. The agency said it has checked nearly 100,000 vape shops and online stores since 2023 to implement the provisions of Republic Act No. 11900, or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Act. DTI’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director, Atty. Fhillip D. Sawali said the agency is enforcing the Vape Law to protect […]
- [Millions learn facts, switch to safer nicotine products despite anti-vaping misinformation](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/07/16/millions-learn-facts-switch-to-safer-nicotine-products-despite-anti-vaping-misinformation/): Millions of consumers globally are switching from combustible cigarettes to safer nicotine products like vapes, heated tobacco and oral nicotine pouches despite the unscientific slogans and scare tactics raised by anti-vaping organizations, according to tobacco harm reduction (THR) advocates. “An extraordinary number of people do learn that nicotine isn’t what’s causing the problem. They do learn that there’s huge differentials in risks. And they do learn that these organizations are misleading them,” said Prof. David Sweanor, an adjunct professor of law at the University of Ottawa in Canada who has a 40-year career in tobacco control and law. THR advocates […]
- [Consumers from various countries unite to end global smoking scourge](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/07/01/consumers-from-various-countries-unite-to-end-global-smoking-scourge/): Consumer groups from various countries emphasized the need for collaboration to achieve their shared goal of eradicating smoking by providing adult smokers who choose to continue using nicotine with better alternatives to cigarettes. “Now we work as a network. I’m very proud of the new advocacy groups working together in Chile and across Latin America,” Ignacio Leiva, founder and president of the Association of Vaporizer Consumers of Chile (ASOVAPE) and secretary of ARDT Iberoamerica, said in the 11th Global Forum on Nicotine (GFN) held in Warsaw, Poland from June 13 to 15, 2024. Consumers discussed during the forum their initiatives […]
- [Vape law key to curbing illicit trade, youth access in the Philippines](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/06/19/vape-law-key-to-curbing-illicit-trade-youth-access-in-the-philippines/): VAPE REGULATION. Industry stakeholders express their support for the implementation of the Vape Law, including the government’s campaign against illicit products during a medium forum hosted by Toto Ylagan (left) in Quezon City. Joining the forum are Joey Dulay (center), president of the Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) and Edward Gatchalian, owner of Holy Smokes, a retailer of vape products. Industry groups say the Philippines’ current regulations for smoke-free alternatives like vape, heated tobacco, oral nicotine pouches and other novel tobacco products play a crucial role in protecting consumers, business owners and non-smokers particularly the youth. “We believe and support […]
- [Proper regulation to prevent youth from vaping, says expert](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/06/11/proper-regulation-to-prevent-youth-from-vaping-says-expert/): The proper regulation is more effective than prohibition in preventing vape use among the youth, according to an addiction psychotherapist and board member of the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association. In a recent interview with CNA938, Singapore’s top news station, Andrew da Roza said vaping should be legalized and regulated like cigarettes, with a strict minimum age limit.  He said regulation would also provide adult smokers with a less harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes. The current penalties are adequate, but enforcement needs improvement, he said. “No one really gets punished for vaping in Singapore, to be honest,” Da Roza said. “Even though the […]
- [Heated tobacco manufacturer gets Philippine Standard licenses ](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/06/03/heated-tobacco-manufacturer-gets-philippine-standard-licenses/): In line with the regulation requiring mandatory product certification of all heated tobacco and vape products sold in the country, the Bureau of Philippine Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-BPS) issued the first batch of Philippine Standard (PS) licenses for approved vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine product manufacturers. “On or after 5 June 2024, no vape products should enter the country, especially if they do not bear product standard (PS) marks/license or ICC marks,” said DTI-Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Amanda Nograles. The licenses were awarded after a rigorous vetting process under the technical regulations mandating product certification for […]
- [Sweden on track to become smoke-free with shift to alternative products](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/05/30/sweden-on-track-to-become-smoke-free-with-shift-to-alternative-products/): A landmark study suggests Sweden’s dramatic reduction in smoking rates and related deaths stems from a national shift toward smokeless tobacco products. “Nicotine is addictive, but it isn’t the cause of serious smoking-related illnesses,” said Dr. Karl Fagerström, a public health expert who contributed to the research. “Our findings support a focus on harm reduction, offering less harmful alternatives to those who can’t quit smoking entirely.” The “No Smoke Less Harm” report, released by Smoke Free Sweden, a global health advocacy group, says Sweden is on track to become the first smoke-free nation, with smoking rates below 5 percent. Sweden’s […]
- [Scientific evidence proves vapes are less harmful than cigarettes](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/05/22/scientific-evidence-proves-vapes-are-less-harmful-than-cigarettes/): Vaping is far less harmful than smoking, according to scientific evidence presented by a leading United Kingdom group championing the benefits of shifting from smoking to vaping. “The evidence says while vaping is not entirely risk-free, it is significantly less harmful than smoking – which claims around 80,000 lives every year in the UK alone,” the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) said in a statement. The UKVIA published its report after industry and vapers were not invited to speak as part of the committee stage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill held by the UK Parliament to tackle proposed amendments. […]
- [Philippines among ASEAN countries suffering from illicit cigarette trade](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/05/09/philippines-among-asean-countries-suffering-from-illicit-cigarette-trade/): The Philippines is one of several Southeast Asian nations grappling with a high prevalence of illicit cigarette trade, according to a new report by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) and the EU-ASEAN Business Council.  This deprives governments of revenue and poses health risks to consumers, the report says. The 94-page report details the negative impacts of illicit trade on economic growth, investment, job creation, crime prevention, and environmental protection across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Illicit trade often involves counterfeit or substandard goods, raising consumer safety concerns. The report specifically highlights tobacco smuggling as […]
- [Nicotine pouches likely to help millions of smokers in poor countries quit](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/05/06/nicotine-pouches-likely-to-help-millions-of-smokers-in-poor-countries-quit/): Nicotine pouch (NP), a technology-driven product, emerges as a promising solution for smokers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) seeking affordable and less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarettes, according to tobacco harm reduction (THR) advocates. Tomas Hammargren, managing director of Posimistic AB, an international strategy and policy advisor in life science, said LMICs which include poor and developing countries should offer a variety of harm-reduced products for smokers to choose from. Nicotine pouches are expected to supplant combustible cigarettes in LMICs, said Hammargren, a pharmaceutical industry veteran. “Initially, they may be more expensive due to import duties and taxes. However, […]
- [Nicotine pouch gains popularity as smoke-free alternative](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/05/06/nicotine-pouch-gains-popularity-as-smoke-free-alternative/): Nicotine pouches, a recent innovation in smokeless technology, are rapidly gaining popularity as an alternative to cigarettes, with experts underscoring their potential to significantly reduce smoking rates globally, including in traditional tobacco markets. Developed as an evolution of snus, a product with roots tracing back to Sweden centuries ago, nicotine pouches (NPs) represent a notable departure from their tobacco-containing predecessor, snus.  Tomas Hammargren, managing director of Posimistic AB, an international strategy and policy advisor in life sciences, noted the significance of nicotine pouches within the harm reduction landscape. “Nicotine pouches are a relatively new category in the harm reduction portfolio,” […]
- [Consumers laud US FDA support for smoke-free products](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/04/30/consumers-laud-us-fda-support-for-smoke-free-products/): Consumer groups and tobacco harm reduction advocates in the Philippines lauded the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products (FDA-CTP) for confirming that smoke-free products have lower health risks than cigarettes. The FDA-CTP commentary, titled “Nicotine e-cigarettes: Considerations for healthcare providers,” noted that “non-combustible tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, generally have lower health risks to the user than combusted tobacco products.” It said that the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) found conclusive evidence that switching completely from cigarettes to e-cigarettes reduces a person’s exposure to many toxicants and carcinogens present in […]
- [HARM REDUCTION FACILITY](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/04/15/harm-reduction-facility/): Senior executives of Philip Morris International (PMI) and PMFTC Inc., alongside top government officials, open the new Smoke-Free Products Facility in Tanauan City, Batangas. Tagged as the largest investment in the cigarette alternative category, the P8.8-billion cutting-edge facility will manufacture specially heated tobacco sticks BLENDS for BONDS by IQOS. PMI CEO Jacek Olczak, who leads the marker unveiling and ribbon-cutting, says the milestone marks the company’s ‘commitment to a smoke-free Philippines..  Shown are (left to right) PMI Region President Frederic De Wilde, PMFTC Manufacturing Director Elvio Rocco, PMI Senior Vice President Operations Scott Coutts, PMI Chief Executive Officer Jacek Olczak, […]
- [Authorities confiscate P358 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes from Cavite factories](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/03/23/authorities-confiscate-p358-million-worth-of-counterfeit-cigarettes-from-cavite-factories/): Authorities confiscated P358 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes from two factories and a warehouse in Cavite province on Thursday. Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents seized 3.12 million packs of illicit cigarettes and eight illegal cigarette-making and packing machines in simultaneous raids in Dasmarinas City and Indang, Cavite. “This is a part of the direction given by BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. to intensify the campaign against illicit cigarettes and plug the billions of pesos lost by the government to this illegal activity.  This does not only pose a threat to public health, but also […]
- [Health authorities asked to stop demonizing nicotine](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/03/12/health-authorities-asked-to-stop-demonizing-nicotine/): Public health experts said nicotine’s potential therapeutic uses deserve exploration, and it shouldn’t be solely demonized as the culprit behind tobacco-related diseases. Dr. Garrett McGovern, a general practitioner specializing in addiction medicine, said that in fact, the rise of e-cigarettes, significantly safer than cigarettes, has renewed interest in nicotine’s impact. Participants in the recent Global Forum on Nicotine also recognized that smokers are transitioning from combustible cigarettes to less harmful alternatives like vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches. Dr. McGovern said before e-cigarettes, nicotine and the developing brain weren’t a major discussion.  “It’s time to re-evaluate nicotine and explore its potential […]
- [Adult smokers to benefit from switching to Zyn nicotine pouches—former FDA official](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/03/04/adult-smokers-to-benefit-from-switching-to-zyn-nicotine-pouches-former-fda-official/): Adult smokers could see health improvements by switching to modified-risk products like Zyn nicotine pouches, which have recently gained popularity in the United States, according to a former high-ranking official of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Scott Gottlieb, an American doctor and former commissioner of the FDA, said the increasing popularity of Zyn nicotine pouches is encouraging more American smokers to quit cigarettes. “If we can convert more currently addicted adult smokers onto these modified risk products [Zyn nicotine pouches] that don’t have all the harms associated with combustion, we can achieve a substantial net public health […]
- [Medical professionals asked to study scientific facts about nicotine, harm reduction](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/28/medical-professionals-asked-to-study-scientific-facts-about-nicotine-harm-reduction/): PANAMA CITY–Medical practitioners should learn scientific facts about nicotine and tobacco harm reduction (THR) so they can share proper information with people struggling with smoking, according to public health experts. Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, a cardiologist, public health expert and external research fellow at the University of Patras and the University of West Attica in Greece, noted the high level of misinformation about THR and nicotine in the healthcare community. “Many doctors do not understand that the harmful effects of the combustion in cigarettes are orders of magnitude greater than the minimal health risks of nicotine. We need to convince doctors […]
- [Filipino team’s collaborative approach at WHO tobacco meeting earns praise from confab chair](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/23/filipino-teams-collaborative-approach-at-who-tobacco-meeting-earns-praise-from-confab-chair/): The Philippine delegation’s ‘way forward’ approach advocated for state interests and the Filipino people’s welfare at the recently concluded tobacco control conference of the World Health Organization (WHO), said Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara during a Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing. Guevara, who headed the Philippine delegation to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s (FCTC) 10th Conference of the Parties (COP 10), expressed pride at the Philippines’ position during the committee hearing investigating the country’s participation at the 10th Conference of the Parties of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). “With all due respect, we were […]
- [Senator risks eradicating livelihood of 3 million Filipino tobacco families](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/22/senator-risks-eradicating-livelihood-of-3-million-filipino-tobacco-families/): Former Deputy Speaker Rodante D. Marcoleta denounced Senator Pia Cayetano’s attempts at eradicating the livelihood of 3 million Filipinos relying on the tobacco industry. “I’d rather have one thousand Dirty Ashtrays than one coffin to contain the whole tobacco industry, including the farmers and stakeholders who are depending on the tobacco industry in our country,” said Marcoleta of the SAGIP Partylist. Marcoleta, in a privilege speech, criticized Cayetano’s tirades in the Senate against the Philippine delegation at the recent conference of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. He accused Cayetano of urging the Philippine delegation to dismiss […]
- [International anti-smoking advocates defend Philippines in WHO conference](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/11/international-anti-smoking-advocates-defend-philippines-in-who-conference/): International anti-smoking advocates defended the Philippines from attempts to besmirch its reputation over the country’s endorsement of state policies that would effectively end smoking in the country. “Health advocates in the Philippines successfully fought off a well-funded effort to deny consumers safer alternatives to lethal cigarettes. To attack a country for standing up for the right of people to access life-saving products shows a frighteningly authoritarian and moralistic agenda. If we are to successfully reduce cigarette smoking, anti-tobacco groups need to learn from countries like the Philippines rather than denigrate them,” Professor David Sweanor, chair of the advisory board of […]
- [WHO FCTC told to stop spreading false data on smoke-free products](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/09/who-fctc-told-to-stop-spreading-false-data-on-smoke-free-products/): As 183 representative-countries convene in Panama for the tenth Conference of the Parties (COP) to discuss the future of novel tobacco products, harm reduction experts cautioned the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) against spreading false information and monopolizing the discourse on smoke-free products. “WHO and tobacco control activists have been instrumental in denying millions of smokers access to life-saving, low-risk alternatives to cigarettes – this has occurred through prohibition, regulation and misinformation – for which there is no scientific or ethical basis,” said Clive D. Bates, director of public health advocacy group Counterfactual. Martin Cullip, […]
- [Groups slam Bloomberg for sponsoring anti-public health policies at WHO tobacco conference](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/08/groups-slam-bloomberg-for-sponsoring-anti-public-health-policies-at-who-tobacco-conference/): PANAMA CITY—Harm reduction advocates denounce Bloomberg Philanthropies, the charity foundation of US billionaire Michael Bloomberg, for exerting influence on governments and health authorities in low and middle-income countries to deny smokers with potentially life-saving less harmful smoke-free alternatives, as the delegates to the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) continue to meet in Panama to discuss novel and emerging tobacco products. The worst impact of Bloomberg funding is “the interruption of smoking cessation efforts in countries in the global south with high smoking rates and where relatively lower […]
- [Philippines introduces Vape Law at WHO tobacco conference](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/07/philippines-introduces-vape-law-at-who-tobacco-conference/): PANAMA CITY—The Philippines introduced its legislation on vaping and other novel tobacco products as part of its anti-smoking strategy at the ongoing World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) conference. Addressing delegates from 183 nations, Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara, head of the Philippine delegation to the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP 10), said the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 11900, the “Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act” in 2022 to regulate vaping and other novel tobacco products (NTPs). Guevara praised this legislation as a landmark initiative in reducing smoking-related harm, establishing comprehensive regulatory […]
- [WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control conference opens in Panama amid protest from farmers](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/06/who-framework-convention-on-tobacco-control-conference-opens-in-panama-amid-protest-from-farmers/): PANAMA CITY—The 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) opened at the Panama Convention Center Monday amid protests from tobacco farmers. Delegates from 183 countries are convening to discuss policies that will shape the future of the tobacco industry, impacting the livelihoods of millions of farmers, including those in the Philippines. Harmadio Martinez, a tobacco farmer, joined the rally to demand justice over the WHO and the Panamanian government’s plan to ban tobacco products, including novel and emerging products, which are deemed less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarettes. Martinez and […]
- [Harm reduction strategy key to WHO FCTC’s goal to end smoking](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/05/harm-reduction-strategy-key-to-who-fctcs-goal-to-end-smoking/): Public health advocates advised the World Health Organization (WHO) that harm reduction is key to ending the smoking problem globally. Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of Quit For Good, a non-profit group promoting harm reduction in the Philippines, made the statement as delegates from more than 180 member-countries of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) participate in the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) being held in Panama this week. Dr. Mata called on the WHO FCTC delegates to consider tobacco harm reduction (THR) principles, allowing smokers access to safer alternatives. He supported the statement of Jeffrey Smith, a […]
- [Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s Good COP kicks off in Panama](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/04/taxpayers-protection-alliances-good-cop-kicks-off-in-panama/): PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance will kick off its Good COP (Conference of the People) programming in Panama on February 5, 2024. Good COP will feature nearly two dozen tobacco harm reduction experts, representing 11 different countries and highlighting some of the leading experts on consumer issues, national and global policies, and the science surrounding harm reduction. Good COP is taking place from Monday, February 5 to Friday, February 10 in Panama City, several kilometers away from where global delegates are meeting at the WHO’s  COP (Conference of the Parties) 10.  TPA and the Good COP participants will […]
- [Farmers in the Philippines ask gov't to defend tobacco livelihood at WHO conference](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/02/02/farmers-in-the-philippines-ask-govt-to-defend-tobacco-livelihood-at-who-conference/): Tobacco farmers in the Philippines, encouraged by a government roadmap to expand production and the rise of less harmful alternatives to cigarettes, urged officials to champion their livelihood at the upcoming World Health Organization’s conference on global tobacco control. Delegates from around the world are meeting in Panama on Feb. 5 to 10, 2024 for the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The global treaty plays a key role in shaping global tobacco policies, but farmer groups are concerned about its potential impact on their livelihood. “Our lives are deeply intertwined […]
- [Philippines' Vape Law spurs calls for WHO to review restrictive tobacco control policy](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/01/30/philippines-vape-law-spurs-calls-for-who-to-review-restrictive-tobacco-control-policy/): While the Philippines’ landmark “Vape Law” supported tobacco harm reduction as one of the pillars for tobacco control approaches identified in the World Health Organization global treaty, the WHO remains dismissive of the principle, pushing its prohibitionist stance. “The Vape Law reflects the government’s position that innovative smoke-free products, proven by scientific research to be far less harmful than traditional cigarettes, should be regulated as options for smokers who wouldn’t quit otherwise,” said Dr. Lorenzo Mata, president of Quit For Good, a non-profit organization promoting harm reduction to mitigate the damage caused by cigarettes. The law, officially known as Republic […]
- [WHO FCTC asked to respect science, consumer rights in COP meeting - TPA](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/01/23/who-fctc-asked-to-respect-science-consumer-rights-in-cop-meeting-tpa/): The Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s Consumer Center accused the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) of ignoring science and the rights of consumers in its pursuit of restrictive tobacco control measures, as the global body prepares for its 10th Conference of the Parties (COP) this year. Martin Cullip, an international fellow at TPA issued the statement criticizing the WHO FCTC’s focus on policies known as MPOWER, which rely solely on restrictions on the supply and demand of tobacco products while ignoring other proven measures to help smokers quit. “While the WHO has had some success in the […]
- [Experts advocate for less restrictive regulations on novel nicotine products](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2024/01/22/experts-advocate-for-less-restrictive-regulations-on-novel-nicotine-products/): International health policy experts called for less stringent regulations on novel nicotine products—like heated tobacco, oral nicotine and vape products—arguing they pose significantly lower risks than conventional cigarettes and could help millions of smokers quit. Dr. Riccardo Polosa, professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Catania and founder of the Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) in Italy, criticized the current “one-size-fits-all” approach to tobacco control policies promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO). “Beyond advocating the actions like increasing tobacco taxes, implementing public smoking bans, promoting accessible cessation programs for all, these tobacco control […]
- [Countries embracing innovative products log biggest decline in smoking](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2023/12/04/countries-embracing-innovative-products-log-biggest-decline-in-smoking/): Several countries including the United Kingdom, Japan and Sweden have witnessed a significant decline in smoking rates after embracing innovative smoke-free products like vapes, heated tobacco and snus, according to international public health policy experts. “The bottom line is that we have known for decades that the reason people die from smoking is because of inhaling smoke, not from nicotine. We know that the countries that have had the biggest declines in cigarette smoking in recent times are countries that are essentially ignoring the advice of the World Health Organization—places that have allowed substitutes to replace cigarettes,” Prof. David Sweanor […]
- [Philippines shows the way in helping smokers—ENDS](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2023/11/20/philippines-shows-the-way-in-helping-smokers-ends/): Other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand should emulate the Philippines in helping smokers by providing them access to less harmful alternatives to cigarettes that would reduce their exposure to toxic substances, according to a regional consumer advocate. Asa Saligupta, the director of ENDS Cigarette Smoke Thailand (ECST), said Thailand’s prohibition of smoking alternatives only drove these products into an unregulated underground market, depriving the government of revenue and compelling consumers to continue smoking. He underscored the importance of regulating these products and cautioned against an outright ban due to the potential rise of a black market that dodges taxes […]
- [Pervasive cigarette smuggling threatens Philippines security—consumer group](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2023/10/26/pervasive-cigarette-smuggling-threatens-philippines-security-consumer-group/): The transition of former armed groups in southern Philippines from terror activities to cigarette smuggling may threaten national security aside from harming consumers and the economy, according to an anti-illicit trade group. Antonio Israel, one of the lead convenors of the online advocacy campaign “EKIS sa Smuggling” and president of the Nicotine Consumers Union of the Philippines (NCUP), warned that “the billions of pesos generated from smuggling can be used to fund unimaginable crimes that threatens our national security.” Israel said that based on reports disclosed during a recent anti-illicit trade conference, “it is worrisome that armed groups in Mindanao […]
- [WHO strategies insufficient against smoking—ITS paper](https://www.24shareupdates.com/2023/10/23/who-strategies-insufficient-against-smoking-its-paper/): The Institute for Tobacco Studies (ITS) in Täby, Sweden has released a topical paper urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to look at the successful Swedish experiences of large-scale transition from cigarettes to smokeless alternatives to reduce smoking-related deaths globally. The paper was published on Qeios—a platform where it can be downloaded. Dr. Lars M. Ramström, the principal investigator of ITS, is a reputed researcher in tobacco control issues with numerous international engagements. He has, for example, served as a WHO expert and as secretary general of the 4th World Conference on Smoking and Health. “The best example of how […]

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- [About Us](https://www.24shareupdates.com/about-us/): Who We Are and What We Do 24SHARE Updates as the words imply, is both a conveyor belt and an exhibit hall for information—research findings, scholarly tomes, discussion, survey/poll results, policy statements, industry positions, consumer petitions, and other public documents – covering any and all aspects of harm reduction. We offer free and open space, platform, sounding board, and a clearinghouse for a greater public understanding of harm reduction. We believe that only through unfiltered, unfettered public discussion can all stakeholders gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the problem. Solutions and remedies can hopefully emerge from the whole exercise. Keeping […]
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- [Mission / Vision](https://www.24shareupdates.com/mission-vision/): Mission At 24SHARE Updates, we share news, information and insights to enlighten the public on the role of harm reduction as a public health strategy and to provide inputs that will help consumers, industry stakeholders, policy-makers, regulators and the scientific community achieve meaningful dialog that will result in right and just health policies for the benefit of the people. Vision Our goal at 24SHARE Updates is to provide accurate, relevant, and up-to-date news, feature stories, insights, and research findings that will particularly help smokers in their journey to quit smoking. We present factual, science-based and impartial information on issues related to harm […]
- [COLUMNS](https://www.24shareupdates.com/opinion/columns/): David Sweanor Understanding tobacco and health policy Maria Chaplia Six reasons why nicotine is not your enemy
- [EDITORIAL](https://www.24shareupdates.com/opinion/editorial/): CATEGORY: OPINION – EDITORIAL Editorial News 2021: The year of harm in retreat 24shareupdates January 4, 2022 It was a breathtaking year of harm in retreat. We could not put it more aptly. And it is much cause for celebration. From the economic crisis to the public health to personal safety and Editorial A practical solution to the Asian smoking scourge 24shareupdates April 27, 2021 Asia accounts for the majority of the world’s smokers and also for the most deaths related to the smoking epidemic which remains unabated.  Asian smokers, bereft of options, are sprinting—into the abyss. The region is […]
- [EVENTS](https://www.24shareupdates.com/events-page/): THR Events and Activities Here is a list of upcoming THR-related events and activities that our readers might be interested in. For the final details of these events, we encourage you to check the websites of the organizers, through links provided here, to keep you updated on any last-minute changes on schedule, venues, and other specific information. 24SHARE Updates provides this list for general information only. As it cannot guarantee that all events will take place on schedule, it is the responsibility of our readers to check the precise details of these events. Voices4Vape The Attacks on our Right to […]
- [PROFILES](https://www.24shareupdates.com/profiles/): Meet the leaders and experts of tobacco harm reduction (THR) strategy in various parts of the world–including public health specialists, medical doctors, scientists, researchers, lawyers, government officials and consumer advocates. PROFILES feature these outstanding individuals and provide more in-depth stories on how they started their advocacy and what motivate them to continue this pragmatic, compassionate and humanitarian approach to help millions of smokers in their smoke-free journey.
- [VIDEOS](https://www.24shareupdates.com/videos/): This page is under construction.
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- [NEWS](https://www.24shareupdates.com/news/): CATEGORY: NEWS News Vaping group co-hosts launch of Asia Tobacco Harm Reduction report 24shareupdates April 16, 2021 News Alarming rise in women smokers in India, gender-based approaches needed Dr Sree T. Sucharitha and Dr R. Vaishikaa April 12, 2021 News Pan-Asia event to discuss pragmatic solutions to tobacco epidemic 24shareupdates April 9, 2021 News Japan emerges as model country for smoking rate reduction 24shareupdates April 7, 2021 News Draft regulations to worsen New Zealand vape shop security 24shareupdates April 6, 2021 Load More
- [Home](https://www.24shareupdates.com/): Welcome to 24SHARE Updates! We SHARE the latest stories on harm reduction 24/7. News WHO-Bloomberg ‘war on harm reduction’ disregards consumers 24shareupdates July 12, 2025 News Public health advocates decry WHO’s ‘prohibitionist’ nicotine stance 24shareupdates June 13, 2025 News Membership fee hike part of WHO strategy for discretionary budget 24shareupdates June 2, 2025 More Updates News WHO-Bloomberg ‘war on harm reduction’ disregards consumers 24shareupdates July 12, 2025 The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has expressed concern that the News Public health advocates decry WHO’s ‘prohibitionist’ nicotine stance 24shareupdates June 13, 2025 Public health advocates denounced the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “prohibitionist […]


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